On Course: Mountview
Saturday, October 1, 2022
While they might be best known for their world-class musical theatre programme, Mountview offers a wide range of three-year degree courses, foundation diplomas and post-graduate offerings
Katherine Leedale
Courses offered
- Foundation Acting full-time/part-time
- Foundation Musical Theatre full-time (London and Manchester)/part-time
- FdA Technical Production/BA (top-up) – Lighting and Sound
- FdA/BA (Top-up) Stage Management
- PGDip Production and Stage Management
- FdA/BA (Hons) Top-Up Scenic Art and Prop Making
- BA (Hons) Performance – Acting
- BA (Hons) Performance – Actor Musicianship
- BA (Hons) Performance – Musical Theatre
- Postgraduate courses: Creative Producing, Musical Direction, Theatre Directing, Site-Specific Theatre Practice and Theatre for Community and Education
Content overview
Technical
Following completion of any technical theatre foundation course, there is the option to take a BA (top-up) to complete a full degree in a specific aspect as:
FdA Technical Production (2 year): This course will provide students with a broad technical training which is highly employable. It includes elements of lighting, sound and technical production.
BA (Top-up) Lighting and Sound (1 year): This course enables students to specialise following their Foundation course and gain a degree. This course is open to students from other institutions.
FdA Stage Management (2 year): This course provides a two-year training option specifically in stage management.
BA (Top-up) Stage Management (1 year): This course allows FdA Stage Management students the opportunity to continue with their stage management training and is also an option for Technical Production FdA students wishing to specialise in stage management. It is open to students from other institutions.
PGDip Production and Stage Management (1 year): This course trains production managers, technical managers and company stage managers for the industry. It also offers a progression opportunity to BA (top-up) students.
FdA/BA (Hons) Top-Up in Scenic Art and Prop Making: A great option for students with an artistic flair, training places a strong emphasis on developing specialist skills and practical problem solving in scenic art and prop making. You'll learn a range of processes from traditional and established methods and materials to future-facing technologies with strong links with the industry and excellent opportunities for work-based learning.
Performance
Foundation Acting full-time/part-time: Training focuses on three key areas of artistic development: creativity, technique and readiness. Classes focus on the core skills of acting, voice, movement and performance-based work, delivering a balance of preparation for auditions and a subsequent career in acting and performance.
The part-time course enables students to work alongside their studies.
Foundation Musical Theatre full-time/part-time: Balancing core technique training across acting, singing and dance while developing creativity and artistic identity, with a focus on an equal balance of skills, audition preparation and performance work. The part-time course enables students to work along aside their studies. NEW for 2022: the full-time course is also available in Manchester.
BA (Hons) Performance – Musical Theatre: Over 25 years ago Mountview created the UK's first specialist three-year musical theatre course, and our graduates continue to dominate the industry. The course develops technical skills through practical classes, workshops and performances and is split equally between the three essential musical theatre skills: acting, singing and dance.
BA (Hons) Performance – Acting: This vocational training prepares students for a career in theatre, TV, radio and film. The course develops skills through workshops and performances. Designed to inspire imaginative engagement and develop practical experience enabling you to take risks, expand your range and develop your strengths.
BA (Hons) Performance – Actor Musicianship: There is an ever-increasing demand for performers who combine first-rate acting ability with a high level of musicianship. Mountview's course develops these dual skills to the highest level. Over the course you'll produce a range of performance projects, working on Shakespeare, contemporary plays and musicals as well as devising original work.
There are also postgraduate courses in creative producing, musical direction, theatre directing, site-specific theatre practice and theatre for community and education.
Fees, bursaries, and other finance information
There are bursaries and scholarships available to the most gifted students and those facing financial hardship. For more details visit mountview.org.uk/courses/funding-and-scholarships.
Accommodation options
Many Mountview students choose to live at Bernard Myers House, a hall of residence managed by Host, which is a 15-minute walk away. Others opt to move into shared houses in the area.
Entry requirements
While specific requirements vary from course to course, in general applicants must be aged 18 years or over at the start of the course. Entry is based on performance at audition or interview and previous formal academic qualifications are not essential.
Application method
Apply directly through the Mountview website at mountview.org.uk/apply. All courses at Mountview are subject to entry via an audition or interview. There is a £25 fee for first-round online auditions for performance courses and a £20 fee for in-person recall auditions. There is no fee for non-performance courses.
Audition process
There are detailed guidelines for each course listed at mountview.org.uk/courses/auditions-and-interviews/
